Examinee-fastening device for use with an x-ray photographing apparatus

ABSTRACT

An examinee-fastening device for use in an X-ray photographing apparatus including engageable support bands for firmly fastening an examinee to a bed plate, and preliminary fixing means for preliminarily fastening the examinee to the bed plate prior to engagement of the engageable support bands, thereby providing improved fastening of the examinee to the bed plate.

,nited States Patent 1 Nishiyama et al.

[ EXAMINEE-FASTENING DEVICE FOR USE WITH AN X-RAY PHOTOGRAPHING APPARATUS [75] Inventors: Shoji Nishiyama, Hachinohe;

Tsuyoshi Saito, Atsugi, both of Japan [73] Assignees: Tokyo Shibaura Electric Co., Ltd.,

Kawasaki-shi; Shoji Nishiyama, l-lachinohe-shi, Aomori-ken, both of Japan [22] Filed: July 11, 1973 21 App]. No.: 378,189

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data July 13, 1972 Japan 47-82865 [52] US. Cl 269/328, 128/134 [51] Int. Cl. A6lf 5/37, A61g 13/00 [58] Field of Search 269/328; 128/133, 134;

[ Jan. 21, 1975 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,535,719 10/1970 Murcott 128/133 X 3,671,983 6/1972 Bertolet 5/82 3,700,229 10/1972 Kurokawa 269/328 Primary Examiner-Roy Lake Assistant ExaminerNei1 Abrams Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Flynn & Frishauf [5 7] ABSTRACT An examinee-fastening device for use in an X-ray photographing apparatus including engageable support bands for firmly fastening an examinee to a bed plate, and preliminary fixing means for preliminarily fastening the examinee to the bed plate prior to engagement of the engageable support bands, thereby providing improved fastening of the examinee to the bed plate.

12 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures F'ATENTED I975 sum 1 or 2 FIG.

EXAMINEE-FASTENING DEVICE FOR USE WITH AN X-RAY PHOTOGRAPHING APPARATUS This invention relates to an examinee-fastening device for use with an X-ray photographing apparatus which can securely fasten an examinee regardless of his physical form.

Where X-ray photographing or treatment of an examinee is carried out according to the customary practice, the examinee is first put on a bed plate and then fastened by a pair of support bands fixed at one end to the respective lengthwise edges of the bed plate and superposed on each other so as to wrap the examinee by engagement between the engagement elements consisting of, for example, a pair of strip-shaped fastening elements, one of the pair having on its bottom surface a number of generally J-shaped projections and the other having a number of inverted generally U-shaped projections on its upper surface, hereinafter referred to as magic leather, and fitted to the mutually facing surfaces of the support bands on which they are to be superposed on each other. However, the effective contact area of the superposed portions of the support bands varies with the physical form of an examinee, namely, according to whether he is lean. Particularly where the examinee is fleshy, the effective contact area of said superposed portions appreciably decreases. In such case, the engagement members of the support bands are likely to slacken or come off, giving rise to the insufficient engagment of both support bands and in consequence presenting difficulties in attaining close fitting to the examinees body. Where, under such condition, the bed plate is raised, brought down or rotated in the irradiation of X-rays to the examinee, the support bands fastening an examinee will be loosened, not only making him feel uneasy and uncomfortable, but also where the support bands get out of place perchance, possibly causing him to fall off the bed.

It is accordingly the object of this invention to provide an examinee-fastening device for use with an X-ray photographing apparatus which is free from the above-mentioned drawbacks and easily attains the secure fixing of an examinee to a bed plate regardless of his physical form.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to an aspect of this invention, there is provided an examinee-fastening device wherein two support bands have the ends fixed to respective lengthwise edges of a bed plate, and a preliminary fixing strip having its outer surface provided with engagement material and being connected at one end to the fixed end of the first support band. Where an examinee is placed on a bed plate, he is first supported by engagement between the engagement material provided on the outer surface of the preliminary fixing strip and any of the plural engagement members spatially arranged on the inner surface of the second support band which is selected depending on the examinee's physical form. The examinee is finally supported by engagement between the engagement material provided on the inner surface of the first support band and the engagement material provided on the outer surface of the second support band, whereby the examinee is securely fixed in place regardless of his physical form, and whether the bed plate is raised, brought down or rotated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an oblique view of an examinee-fastening apparatus according to an embodiment of this invention where it is fitted to a bed plate on which an examinee is to be placed;

FIG. 2 presents the condition in which an examinee is first supported on a bed plate by fitting the embodiment of FIG. I thereto with a first support band engaged with a preliminary fixing strip;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of an examinee-fastening apparatus according to another embodiment of the invention where it is fitted to a bed plate;

FIG. 4 is a fractional sectional view on line lV-IV of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a fractional sectional view of the contracted state of the examinee-fastening apparatus of FIGS. 3 and 4 when it is not used; and

FIG. 6 is a plan view of an examinee-fastening apparatus according to still another embodiment of the invention where it is fitted to a bed plate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS There will now be described by reference to the appended drawings an examinee-fastening apparatus according to an embodiment of this invention. Referring to FIG. 1, reference numeral 11 denotes a first support band which is made of radiation-permeable material such as cloth or leather. A preliminary fixing strip 12 made of the same material as the first support band 11 is superposed at one end on the facing end of said first support band 11. The superposed portions of both members are fixed to one of the lengthwise edges of a bed plate 13. The inner surface of the first support band 11 which contacts an examinees body is provided with engagement material 14a, for example, magic leather. The preliminary fixing strip 12 has its outer surface provided with engagement material 14b. To the opposite lengthwise edge of the bed plate 13 is fixed that end ofthe second support band 14 which faces the first support band 11 across the bed plate 13. The second support band 14 has its inner surface provided with engagement members and 14d spatially arranged in the crosswise direction. Further, the second support band 14 has its outer end fitted with a plurality of (three indicated) narrow flexible, elastic bands 15 made of, for example rubber which extend outward lengthwise of said band 14. The narrow rubber bands 15 have spatially arranged engagement members 16a and 16b on which are respectively provided engagement material 142 and 14f, respectively, and which are fixed to the inside of said bands 15. The second support band 14 has its outer surface provided with engagement material 14g (see FIG. 2) which meshes with the engagement material 14a provided on the inner surface of the first support band 11. The examinee-fastening device of FIG. 1 securely supports an examinee on a bed plate as illustrated in FIG. 2. Namely, the examinee l7 placed on the bed plate 13 on the back is first covered with the second support band 14. In this case, any of the engagement members 14c, 14d, 14c and 14f is selected depending on the degree of corpulence of the examinee 17. Referring to FIG. 2, when the engagement material 14f provided on the preliminary fixing part 16b meshes with the engagement material 1412 provided on the inner surface of the preliminary fixing strip 12, then the examinee is preliminarily supported with a suitable force by the elasticity of the rubber bands 15. Even when an operator takes his hands off the second support band 14, it does slacken. The examinee 17 is thereafter covered with the first support band 11 pulled over him in the direction of the indicated arrow. In this case, the engagement material 14:: provided on the inner surface of the first support band 11 meshes with the engagement material 14;; provided on the outer surface of the second support band 14. Since, the examinee 17 is supported twice by the first and second support bands 11 and 14, he is securely held in place, regardless of whether he is corpulent or lean. The broad support bands used in the apparatus of this invention not only support an examinee more securely than support bands shaped like cords but also engage each other over a wide area of the front side of the examinee. Therefore, a force applied on the contact surfaces of the broad support bands always acts parallel with the contact surfaces, namely, in the direction in which the support bands are subjected to tension. This increases the mutual contact of the support bands, attaining the secure fixing of the examinee 17 in place.

FIGS. 3 and 4 collectively show an examineefastening device according to another embodiment of this invention. The first support band 11 is provided with the same kind of engagement material 14a as in FIG. 1 on the inner surface which contacts an examinees body. There is also provided, as in FIG. 1, a preliminary fixing strip 12 which is superposed at one end on the first support band 11. This first support band 11 has its outermost inner surface provided with engagement material 14h and its outer surface provided with an other engagement material 141' and further includes a bag member 18 open at its outer end in the lengthwise direction of the first support band 11. The second support band 14 has its inner end fixed to the opposite lengthwise edge of the bed plate 13, and a preliminary fixing strip 14 is provided right on said fixed inner end. Further, as in FIG. 1, engagement members 14c and 14d are spatially arranged on the inner surface of the second support band 14 in the crosswise direction thereof. All the outer surface of the second support band 14 is provided with another engagement material 14k. As in the embodiment of FIG. 2, the engagement material 14b provided on the outer surface of the preliminary fixing strip 12 superposed at one end on the inner end portion of the first support band 11 is engaged with either of the engagement materials 14c and 14d formed on the inner surface of the second support band 14. The engagement material 14h provided on the inner surface of the outermost portion of the first support band 11 is received in a folded state in the bag member 18. Therefore, an examinee is generally fastened by engagement between the engagement material I4a provided on the inner surface of the first support band 11 and the engagement material 14k provided on the outer surface of the second support band 14. Where an examinee is considerably corpulent, an area of engagement between the engagement materials 14a and 14k so decreases as to make the examinees position on the bed plate unstable. In such case, the engagement material 14h is drawn out of the bag member 18 for engagement with the engagement material 14k, thereby attaining the secure fixing of an examinee to the bed plate.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4, the first and second support bands 11 and 14 may be rolled up as illustrated in FIG. on the lengthwise edges of the bed plate, where an examinee is not placed thereon. This 5 procedure enables the examinee-fastening device to be put away without occupying any unduly large space.

FIG. 6 indicates an examinee-fastening device according to still another embodiment of this invention. This embodiment is characterized in that the second support band 14 of FIG. 3 is modified by adopting the same arrangement as shown in FIG. I. The other parts of the embodiment of FIG. 6 are the same as those of the preceding embodiments, description thereof being omitted.

The foregoing embodiments refer to the case where a person was placed on the bed plate 13 as an examinee 17. Obviously, the examinee can be not only a human being, but also any other animal or inanimate object. Further, the first and second support bands may be positioned at any point along the lengthwise edge of the bed plate, provided they face each other across the bed plate so as to be mutually superposed for the wrapping of an examinee. One of the mutually facing engagement materials preferably includes numerous fine J- shaped projections and the other preferably includes numerous fine inverted U-shaped projections so as to provide secure engagement therebetween.

We claim:

1. An examinee-fastening device for use with an X-ray photographing apparatus comprising:

a first flexible support band fixed at one end to one of the lengthwise edges of a bed plate and provided with engagement material;

a preliminary fixing strip superposed with the first 35 flexible support band and connected at one end to said one lengthwise edge of the bed plate, and provided with engagement material; and

a second flexible support band fixed at one end to the opposite lengthwise edge of the bed plate and pro- 4O vided with first engagement material meshing with the engagement material of the preliminary fixing strip and with second engagement material meshing with the engagement material of the first support band.

2. An examinee-fastening device for use with an X-ray photographing apparatus comprising:

a first flexible support band fixed at one end to one of the lengthwise edges of a bed plate and having its inner surface provided with engagement material;

a preliminary fixing strip superposed with the first flexible support band and connected at one end to said one lengthwise edge of the bed plate, and having its outer surface provided with engagement material; and a second flexible support band fixed at one end to the opposite lengthwise edge of the bed plate and having its inner surface provided with first engagement 0 material meshing with the engagement material of the preliminary fixing strip and its outer surface provided with second engagement material meshing with the engagement material of the first support band. 3. An examinee-fastening device for use with an X-ray photographing apparatus comprising:

a first flexible support band fixed at one end to one of the lengthwise edges of a bed plate and having its inner surface provided with engagement material;

a preliminary fixing strip superposed with the first flexible support band and connected at one end to said one lengthwise edge of the bed plate, and having its outer surface provided with engagement material;

a second flexible support band fixed at one end to the opposite lengthwise edge of the bed plate and having its inner surface provided with a plurality of spatially arranged engagement members in the crosswise direction thereof and in the lengthwise direction of the bed plate, the outer surface of the second flexible support band being provided with engagement material;

elastic members connected to the outer end of the second support band so as to extend outward lengthwise of said second support band; and

preliminary fixing parts connected to the elastic members, each fixing part having its inner surface provided with engagement material.

4. An examinee-fastening device for use with an X-ray photographing apparatus comprising:

a first support band fixed at one end to one of the lengthwise edges ofa bed plate and having its inner 5 surface provided with a first and a second engagement material spatially arranged lengthwise of said first support band and in the crosswise direction of the bed plate, the outer surface of the first support band being provided with another engagement material;

a bag member on the outer surface of the first support band for receiving the first engagement material in a folded state;

a flexible preliminary fixing strip superposed with the first support band and connected at one end to said one lengthwise edge of the bed plate, and having its outer surface provided with engagement material;

a second flexible support band fixed at one end to the opposite lengthwise edge of the bed plate and having its inner surface provided with a plurality of engagement members and its outer surface provided with engagement material; and

additional engagement material provided on the inner surface of that end of the second support band which is fixed to said opposite lengthwise edge of the bed plate, said additional engagement material meshing with the engagement material provided on the inner surface of the first support band.

5. An examinee-fastening device for use with an X-ray photographing apparatus comprising:

a first flexible support band fixed at one end to one of the lengthwise edges of a bed plate and having its inner surface provided with a first and a second engagement material spatially arranged lengthwise of the first support band and crosswise of the bed plate;

a bag member fitted to the outer surface of the first support band for receiving the first engagement material in a folded state;

a flexible preliminary fixing strip superposed with the first support band and connected at one end to said one lengthwise edge of the bed plate and having its inner surface provided with engagement material;

a second flexible support band fixed at one end to the opposite lengthwise edge of the bed plate and having its inner surface provided with engagement members and its outer surface provided with engagement material;

elastic bands fitted to the outer end of the second support band so as to extend outward lengthwise of the second support band and crosswise of the bed plate; and

preliminary fixing parts fitted to the inside of the elastic bands, each fixing part having its inner surface provided with engagement material.

6. An examinee-fastening device according to claim 1 wherein said preliminary fixing strip is connected to the end of said first support band which is fixed to said one lengthwise edge of the bed plate.

7. An examinee-fastening device according to claim 2 wherein said preliminary fixing strip is connected to the end of said first support band which is fixed to said one lengthwise edge of the bed plate.

8. An examinee-fastening device according to claim 3 wherein said preliminary fixing strip is connected to the end of said first support band which is fixed to said one lengthwise edge of the bed plate.

9. An examinee-fastening device according to claim 3 wherein said preliminary fixing parts are connected to the inner surfaces of the elastic members.

10. An examinee-fastening device according to claim 4 wherein said preliminary fixing strip is connected to the end of said first support band which is fixed to said one lengthwise edge of the bed plate.

11. An examinee-fastening device according to claim 4 wherein said first support band is flexible.

12. An examinee-fastening device according to claim 5 wherein said preliminary fixing strip is connected to the end of said first support band which is fixed to said one lengthwise edge of the bed plate.

l l l 

1. An examinee-fastening device for use with an X-ray photographing apparatus comprising: a first flexible support band fixed at one end to one of the lengthwise edges of a bed plate and provided with engagement material; a preliminary fixing strip superposed with the first flexible support band and connected at one end to said one lengthwise edge of the bed plate, and provided with engagement material; and a second flexible support band fixed at one end to the opposite lengthwise edge of the bed plate and provided with first engagement material meshing with the engagement material of the preliminary fixing strip and with second engagement material meshing with the engagement material of the first support band.
 2. An examinee-fastening device for use with an X-ray photographing apparatus comprising: a first flexible support band fixed at one end to one of the lengthwise edges of a bed plate and having its inner surface provided with engagement material; a preliminary fixing strip superposed with the first flexible support band and connected at one end to said one lengthwise edge of the bed plate, and having its outer surface provided with engagement material; and a second flexible support band fixed at one end to the opposite lengthwise edge of the bed plate and having its inner surface provided with first engagement material meshing with the engagement material of the preliminary fixing strip and its outer surface provided with second engagement material meshing with the engagement material of the first support band.
 3. An examinee-fastening device for use with an X-ray photographing apparatus comprising: a first flexible support band fixed at one end to one of the lengthwise edges of a bed plate and having its inner surface provided with engagement material; a preliminary fixing strip superposed with the first flexible support band and connected at one end to said one lengthwise edge of the bed plate, and having its outer surface provided with engagement material; a second flexible support band fixed at one end to the opposite lengthwise edge of the bed plate and having its inner surface provided with a plurality of spatially arranged engagement members in the crosswise direction thereof and in the lengthwise direction of the bed plate, the outer surface of the second flexible support band being provided with engagement material; elastic members connected to the outer end of the second support band so as to extend outward lengthwise of said second support band; and preliminary fixing parts connected to the elastic members, each fixing part having its inner surface provided with engagement material.
 4. An examinee-fastening device for use with an X-ray photographing apparatus comprising: a first support band fixed at one end to one of the lengthwise edges of a bed plate and having its inner surface provided with a first and a second engagement material spatially arranged lengthwise of said first support band and in the crosswise direction of the bed plate, the outer surface of the first support band being provided with another engagement material; a bag member on the outer surface of the first support band for receiving the first engagement material in a folded state; a flexible preliminary fixing strip superposed with the first support band and conneCted at one end to said one lengthwise edge of the bed plate, and having its outer surface provided with engagement material; a second flexible support band fixed at one end to the opposite lengthwise edge of the bed plate and having its inner surface provided with a plurality of engagement members and its outer surface provided with engagement material; and additional engagement material provided on the inner surface of that end of the second support band which is fixed to said opposite lengthwise edge of the bed plate, said additional engagement material meshing with the engagement material provided on the inner surface of the first support band.
 5. An examinee-fastening device for use with an X-ray photographing apparatus comprising: a first flexible support band fixed at one end to one of the lengthwise edges of a bed plate and having its inner surface provided with a first and a second engagement material spatially arranged lengthwise of the first support band and crosswise of the bed plate; a bag member fitted to the outer surface of the first support band for receiving the first engagement material in a folded state; a flexible preliminary fixing strip superposed with the first support band and connected at one end to said one lengthwise edge of the bed plate and having its inner surface provided with engagement material; a second flexible support band fixed at one end to the opposite lengthwise edge of the bed plate and having its inner surface provided with engagement members and its outer surface provided with engagement material; elastic bands fitted to the outer end of the second support band so as to extend outward lengthwise of the second support band and crosswise of the bed plate; and preliminary fixing parts fitted to the inside of the elastic bands, each fixing part having its inner surface provided with engagement material.
 6. An examinee-fastening device according to claim 1 wherein said preliminary fixing strip is connected to the end of said first support band which is fixed to said one lengthwise edge of the bed plate.
 7. An examinee-fastening device according to claim 2 wherein said preliminary fixing strip is connected to the end of said first support band which is fixed to said one lengthwise edge of the bed plate.
 8. An examinee-fastening device according to claim 3 wherein said preliminary fixing strip is connected to the end of said first support band which is fixed to said one lengthwise edge of the bed plate.
 9. An examinee-fastening device according to claim 3 wherein said preliminary fixing parts are connected to the inner surfaces of the elastic members.
 10. An examinee-fastening device according to claim 4 wherein said preliminary fixing strip is connected to the end of said first support band which is fixed to said one lengthwise edge of the bed plate.
 11. An examinee-fastening device according to claim 4 wherein said first support band is flexible.
 12. An examinee-fastening device according to claim 5 wherein said preliminary fixing strip is connected to the end of said first support band which is fixed to said one lengthwise edge of the bed plate. 